#4: Pack It In, Pack It Out

If you bring it into the wilderness, it is your responsibility to make sure it gets out of the wilderness. Here’s how to be mindful of nature:

Bring trash bags so you can take all your garbage with you. Don’t leave any trash, food, tissues, papers, anything at campsites. Bring extra trash bags so you can carry out more, just in case.

Leave the campsite cleaner than when you arrived. If you clean up with the “pay it forward” mentality, other campers will likely follow suit.

If you find a campsite that someone else has trashed, take a few extra minutes and pick up their trash, too. This is just the right thing to do. Be the bigger person.

#5: Observe Fire Safety

Watch for fire bans and follow the rules. An unapproved fire can wipe out an entire forest. I have found these campfire general guidelines are really helpful:

Pack a camping stove in case you find out fires are banned. Nothing ruins your camping trip faster than not being able to cook your food. Be prepared.

Only burn in approved rings in campgrounds. These rings are built to help contain the flames.

Extinguish your fire completely with water. This means there are no smoldering embers or smoking ashes. Wildfires often start when a pile of ashes flares up or an ember flies into the forest.

Don’t put random things into the fire. Cardboard creates excess smoke and embers. Metals, like foil and cans, don’t burn. Even paper with foil wrappers should not be put in a fire.

Keep glass at a distance so it doesn’t explode and cause injuries.

Cans can be used for cooking but should never be left in fire pits.

#6: Don’t Feed the Critters

The zoo isn’t the only place that says “don’t feed the bears.” You should never feed wild animals when you are camping either. Here's why:

Feeding animals encourages them to come back seeking more, and you never know when an animal can turn vicious.

Don’t leave dropped food on the ground. Sure, you think your apple core will decompose, but it can also attract an army of fire ants or a scurry of angry squirrels to your campsite. Pick it up and toss it in your trash bag.

Secure food and trash in your car overnight or use a bear rope to hang the food from a high tree branch. Bears and other wild animals can destroy campsites and hurt humans if they are trying to get food. Absolutely do not keep any food in your tent with you.

Following these basic rules of camping will ensure you have a fun and safe camping trip!

What other camping rules do you follow? Let me know in the comments section below or on my Facebook page.